Joyce’s joy at Manilow gig
A CARE home resident has had her lifelong dream to see Barry Manilow live in concert come true.
Joyce Tibbett, 87, a resident of Hazelgrove Court Care Home on Randolph Street in Saltburn, added her wish to the home’s wish tree over two years ago.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the American singer was forced to push his concert back.
It was only when he finally played at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena in June that Joyce’s dream was fulfilled. She was dancing and waving a glowstick to classics including “Copacabana”, “Could It Be Magic”, and her personal favourite “Mandy” until past midnight on the day of the concert.
On her love for Barry Manilow, Joyce said: “I’ve been a Barry Manilow fan since I was young – so about 50 years. I’ve never seen him live before but I always wanted to and had all his records.
“My favourite song is Mandy because my great-granddaughter is called Mandy and it always brings a tear to my eye. And he sang it
at the concert. My daughter-in-law Jan was very envious as she hadn’t been able to get tickets to the show.
“It was a brilliant night, Barry was awesome. Excellent. Fantastic. I can’t remember the last time I danced until midnight. What a fabulous time.
“Thank you so much to the staff at Hazelgrove Court for making my wish come true.”
Sharon Lewis, the activities coordinator at the care home, helped make Joyce’s wish come true by organising the tickets.
She said: “It was so lovely making her wish come true. It was definitely worth the wait to see Barry after two years.”